Gene Variation Associated with OA in Women

Researchers have found that a variant
in the FRZB gene may increase the
chances of osteoarthritis (OA) in women.
The study involved analyzing deoxyribonucleic
acid from pairs of siblings with
OA. The results showed that a single nucleotide
change in FRZB corresponded
strongly with OA in women.

The FRZB gene codes for a protein that
regulates a signaling pathway that is crucial
in skeletal and joint development. The
protein produced by the variant version of
FRZB cannot perform the duties of the
normal protein, according to the study reported
recently in the Proceedings of the
National Academy of Sciences. The
researchers suggested that this variant
version of FRZB may upset the proper
development of joint cartilage and/or
bone, making women with the variant
more at risk for OA in the hip. If detected
early, this gene variant may aid in prevention,
treatment, and development of future
treatments for OA.